Commercial real estate shifts northwest with residential growth

2010 Texas State Senate
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of candidate interviews that will appear until the November general election, as part of
Community Impact Newspaper’s mission to promote civic involvement. All candidates were given the same set of questions to which to
respond, and Community Impact Newspaper did not assume responsibility for verifying the accuracy of the responses.
Dan Patrick, Republican (incumbent)
Education: University of Maryland (BA)
Experience: State senator since 2007, radio talk
show host, author and film producer
281-500-4665, www.danpatrick.org
If re-elected, what would be your
main priority in office?
My top priority is to balance the budget
without increasing the tax burden in a
tough economic year.
What is one thing that you would
like to see changed in this district in
the next year?
We have to continue to resolve the
traffic congestion that grips most of our
district. Last session, I led a group to
begin work on the 610 Loop and Hwy.
290 interchange to relieve congestion in
this area. We have to continue to attract
funding from the state and the federal
government to continue working on this
project. Also, the issue that I’m always
focused on is to provide quality education
and reduce the burden of property taxes.
Why are you running again?
I believe it is important to have the voice
of the people heard in Austin. I believe
that we have been an effective voice for the
people and we have accomplished a lot on
our agenda, but there is still a lot to do.
What are your qualifications?
I’ve demonstrated a top-notch work
ethic. Our office has a great working relationship
in the district between the mayor,
the superintendent and the Chamber
of Commerce. We meet with them every
six months to get their input on issues in
the area. Most observers would agree that
we have become a leader for how to get
things done in the Texas Senate.
Lee Coughran, Libertarian
Education: Southwest Texas State University
coursework
Experience: Owner of LANS; experience in
carpentry, cooking and copier technology
www.coughranfortxsenate.com
If elected, what would be your main
priority in office?
Education. Our current educational
system in Texas is broken. We got caught
up in teaching tests instead of teaching
what we used to learn. I am worried
about the children who got caught in
between the system—the kids that drop
out. A one in three dropout rate in Texas
is completely unacceptable.
What is one thing that you would
like to see changed in this district in
the next year?
I would like to see an educational
partnership program between schools
and businesses. This would help the kids
that are not ready to go to college to get
skilled labor jobs.
Why are you running?
I’m a native son. I’ve watched this
district grow from rural rice fields into
a sprawling metropolis. I don’t feel like
the education system is going in the right
direction, and I believe that the infrastructure
is starting to fail. District 7
needs a fresh voice.
What are your qualifications?
I have been in District 7 for more than
30 years. I take pride in the fact that I’m
not a politician and I’ve never been one.
I can bring common sense answers to
Austin. I can put Austin back in touch
with District 7.
If re-elected, what would be your
main priority in office?
My main priority is planning for the
future of Texas. We are growing at a rapid
rate of 1,600 people a day, so we need to
provide highways, schools, public safety
and pay for all of it.
What is one thing that you would
like to see changed in this district in
the next year?
Lower school property taxes. Northwest
Harris County is a booming area,
and it is growing at a rapid rate. The local
school taxes are getting too high, and we
need additional state funding for schools.
Why are you running again?
I have the experience to make a difference.
Experience counts, and I use that
on behalf of the people I represent.
What are your qualifications?
My qualification is my experience. I
understand the issues, and I have a track
record of accomplishments like tough
criminal laws. I have authored most of
our criminal laws—we have the toughest
criminal laws in the nation.
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com July 2010 | 29
The Texas State Senate is composed of 31 state senators who each represent a district of about 700,000 people. The Legislature
meets at the State Capitol in Austin once every two years to discuss and vote on legislation. During the interim year, senators work
on their committees and research legislation to introduce in the next session.
District 7 District 7 District 15
District 15
District 7
District 7 covers an area of
Northwest Houston mainly
outside of Beltway 8.
Texas State Senate
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6
SAM HOUSTON
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45
610
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John Whitmire, Democrat (incumbent)
Education: University of Houston (BA); Bates
College of Law at University of Houston (JD)
Experience: Attorney of counsel at Lock Lord
Bissell & Liddell LLP, 27 years in the Texas Senate,
10 years in the Texas House of Representatives
713-864-8701
District 15
District 15 covers areas of North,
Northwest and Northeast
Houston around Beltway 8.
249
SAM HOUSTON
Election
dates
Election date: Nov. 2
Last day to register to vote: Oct. 4
Early voting: Oct. 18–Oct. 29
Last day to apply for ballot by mail: Oct. 26
Bill Walker, Republican
Interviews by Molly Ryan
Education: High school
Experience: Owner for more than 30 years of
Design Controls, a water treatment business
www.walkertexassenate.com
If elected, what would be your main
priority in office?
Defending Texas from the federal
government. There have been a plethora of
laws passed that infringe on state rights. It
is the states’ jobs to make sure the federal
government stays in check.
What is one thing that you would
like to see changed in this district in
the next year?
Texas has a $15 [billion] to $25 billion
shortfall. We need to get that under
control. Government has gotten way too
big. We need to eliminate the peripheral
government programs and make acrossthe-board
cuts.
Why are you running?
I see where this state is heading, and we
are in better shape than any other state,
but if we don’t make changes, we will be
in the same situation as California or
Illinois. We have to act now so we do not
get in that kind of shape—bankrupt—in
10 years.
What are your qualifications?
I have been self-employed for 32 years.
I have no problems making decisions,
and I understand my value system. Decisions
are not hard to make when you
know your value system.
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